Topical Bible: Government: Maintains of Public Instruction

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Topical Encyclopedia

The concept of government involvement in the maintenance of public instruction finds its roots in the biblical mandate for the dissemination of knowledge and wisdom. The Bible emphasizes the importance of teaching and learning, both in spiritual and practical matters, as a means to cultivate a society that honors God and upholds His commandments.

Biblical Foundations

The Bible underscores the value of wisdom and understanding, which are essential components of public instruction. Proverbs 1:7 states, "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline." This verse highlights the foundational role of reverence for God in the pursuit of knowledge, suggesting that education should be grounded in a moral and spiritual framework.

In Deuteronomy 6:6-7 , the Israelites are commanded to teach God's commandments diligently to their children: "These words I am commanding you today are to be upon your hearts. And you shall teach them diligently to your children and speak of them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up." This passage illustrates the responsibility of imparting knowledge to the next generation, a principle that can be extended to the role of government in ensuring public instruction.

Role of Government

The Bible does not explicitly outline the structure of government involvement in education, but it does provide principles that can guide such efforts. Romans 13:1-4 speaks to the role of governing authorities as servants of God for the good of the people: "Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which is from God. The authorities that exist have been appointed by God." This passage suggests that governments have a divinely ordained role in promoting the welfare of society, which can include the maintenance of public instruction.

The responsibility of government to maintain public instruction can also be inferred from the biblical call to justice and equity. Isaiah 1:17 exhorts, "Learn to do right; seek justice and correct the oppressor; defend the fatherless and plead the case of the widow." Ensuring access to education for all, particularly the marginalized, aligns with the biblical mandate for justice and care for the vulnerable.

Historical Context

Throughout history, Christian communities have often been at the forefront of establishing educational institutions. The early church recognized the importance of literacy and education for understanding the Scriptures and living a life pleasing to God. Monastic schools, cathedral schools, and later, universities, were established with the aim of providing comprehensive education rooted in Christian values.

In more recent times, the involvement of government in public instruction has been seen as a means to ensure that all citizens have access to education, which is essential for the development of a just and prosperous society. This aligns with the biblical principle of stewardship, where resources and opportunities are managed for the common good.

Conclusion

While the Bible does not provide a detailed blueprint for government involvement in education, it offers guiding principles that underscore the importance of knowledge, wisdom, and justice. These principles can inform the role of government in maintaining public instruction, ensuring that education serves to honor God and promote the well-being of society.

Nave's Topical Index

2 Chronicles 17:7-9
Also in the third year of his reign he sent to his princes, even to Benhail, and to Obadiah, and to Zechariah, and to Nethaneel, and to Michaiah, to teach in the cities of Judah.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

The Synod of Jerusalem, and the Compromise Between Jewish and ...
... a step further than Weizs??cker, strongly maintains the public ... In like manner there
is no free government without parties ... never bought meat at the public markets ...
/.../schaff/history of the christian church volume i/section 34 the synod of.htm

Schools.
... It maintains its character under the superintendence of ... believe, generally lower
than in Government institutions; though ... minds the great power of public opinion ...
/.../kennedy/life and work in benares and kumaon 1839-1877/chapter xii schools.htm

The Regular or Calvinistic Baptists.
... informing the king of its proceedings), had a public disputation with ... Jesus Christ,
the Prince of Peace.' He maintains that civil government has nothing ...
/.../creeds of christendom with a history and critical notes/ 105 the regular or.htm

Of Querulousness.
The Government of the Tongue. ... nor does he ever cease to predict public ruins, till
his ... called gallantry; yet that sober courage that maintains itself against ...
/.../allestree/the government of the tongue/section x of querulousness.htm

The Need of Scripture, as a Guide and Teacher, in Coming to God as ...
... should be consigned, as it were, to public records. ... possesses and which he exerts
in the government of universal ... but the doctrine by which he maintains his due ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 6 the need of.htm

Foundation of Moral Obligation.
... punished for the sake of promoting the public good;"if ... or as an ultimate end, but
it maintains that virtue ... It also shows that government is not an end, but a ...
/.../finney/systematic theology/lecture vii foundation of moral.htm

Seeketh not Her Own. 1 Corinthians 13:5.
... down as an established principle of God's government, that if ... must be changed, so
that the public good will ... And whoever maintains that a supreme regard to our ...
/.../finney/lectures to professing christians/seeketh not her own 1.htm

The Preface.
... the 4th page of his remarks; and he maintains it at ... the same rules, for the good
of the public in their ... exercise of his infinite power in the government of the ...
/.../clarke/a discourse concerning the being and attributes of god/the preface 2.htm

Sunday after Ascension Day
... illiterate rabble, to country villages and public taverns, it ... they are, particularly
as the civil government makes no ... This attitude he maintains so long as we ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol ii/sunday after ascension day.htm

Caesar Fell Down.
... He would not even assume the government of his see ... for religion as to prefer it to
all public affairs, and ... every council by its authority, and maintains it by ...
/.../allies/the formation of christendom volume vi/chapter ii caesar fell down.htm